Free recommedations

February 2003, aged 43, busy job and three lovely children (14, 12 and 8).

Words: Sarah Bainbridge
I booked a routine mammogram as recommended by my lady GP for women over 40. The Sarah.jpgmammogram and the ultrasound went well – money well spent I thought. Off I went to lead a normal life.
A phone call a few days later rocked my world. They wanted a second look, the double check had revealed something suspicious. So I returned, nervously, still with no support person for a second mammogram – they did it about four times. I was referred on and went to Jackie Blue at St Marks Women’s Health. She was amazing, took the biopsy and told me to return with husband for results after the weekend. Sure enough after an endless and very traumatic weekend, the result was positive. I went for a partial mastectomy, followed by a month’s radiation. Surgery found no spreading to the lymph nodes so I didn’t need chemotherapy. The diagnosis was so early that a lump could not be felt, early detection really is the best protection!
So much for the facts, but what about the emotion? My first fear was how my children would feel, what I would say to them and how they would cope. I told them I had confirmed breast cancer, but it was going to be treated and the outlook was good. I withdrew into myself with a lot of quiet time and reading and they spent a lot of time with friends whose families asked them to stay. My husband and kids were amazing. My brother and sister-in-law came from the United Kingdom to stay for a week for help and support, a really positive thing to happen when I was at a low ebb. Also we had Lucy the Labrador - a new puppy to focus on and enjoy. Every cloud does have a silver lining, even the really black storm clouds and I found a great appreciation for the simple things – home life, family, friends and what in general was good around me. A great opportunity to count blessings. Also work didn’t have the same importance any more and I vowed to keep work simple from then on, and I have only worked part time since. Health to me is most important, after all wealth is nothing without it. Plus it is great to be able to spend the time I want with the family.
A change in lifestyle followed – more exercise with the ever growing puppy, and healthier food. I was taking Tamoxifen and tolerated it well, after initially feeling tired for the first few months post op. I also went dairy free for five years while taking the tablets, as evidence does suggest that dairy products aggravate breast cancer. Subsequent tests have been clear, but that doesn’t make them easier to go through, so the relief after having them and looking forward to a worry free period ahead is wonderful.
The early days of diagnosis and treatment are definitely the hardest. There are lots of consultations with doctors, heaps of paperwork coming through the post and the phone rings non-stop. However well-meaning the caller, you can’t always face talking about it yet again. I cherished, above all, the conversations I had with women who had been through the same experience and had come out the other end. The cancer society has the ‘Look Good Feel Better’ programme to spoil women having cancer treatment. To share with others, have a laugh and be pampered was really worthwhile. Not to mention the goody bag, which my girls also had a good scratch through!
A good many months after the first diagnosis, I realised I had gone a whole day without it springing into my mind. The first year is the hardest and it gets better from there.
The age for a free mammogram has now gone down from 50 to 45. My doctor recommended me to start at 40,
and thank God she did.

Sarah Bainbridge